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The Kentucky Park That Will Make You Feel Like You Walked Into A Fairy Tale

When you head into a park, you want to feel like you’ve escaped everyday life, into a world that allows you to slow down and relax. John James Audubon State Park in Henderson takes it a step further with a fairy tale-like atmosphere that will enchant you from the moment you arrive. Between the magical museum and nature center and the winding trails, you’ll fall in love with this Kentucky park that is straight out of a fairy tale.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

John James Audubon State Park is located minutes from downtown Henderson, Kentucky and is a hidden gem in this lovely area of the state. Named after John James Audubon, an American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter, the park stays true to its namesake with a focus on natural beauty and celebrating the simple joys of discovering the outdoors. The award-winning museum and nature center are housed in this magical building, which adds to the fairy tale ambiance of the park.

Within the park, you'll find a 28-acre lake that is ideal for leisurely floating within a canoe or kayak. You can rent either of these, as well as a paddle boat, from the park Memorial Day through Labor Day, but take note that they are closed Monday and Tuesday. The scenery around the lake magically transforms throughout the seasons, making it lovely to witness year round.

The 6.5 miles of trails that wind through the park range in difficulty from a relaxing stroll to a back-country hike. These well-maintained trails are lined with wildflowers and are perfect for spotting a variety of birds and other wildlife.

John James Audubon has a 69-site campground that is open March - November. They also offer 5 one-bedroom and 1 two-bedroom cottages that are great options for staying in this picturesque park. When staying here, you may even expect animals to sing songs and 7 dwarfs to come knocking at your door.

If you've never been to this area of Kentucky, it's time to check it out. John James Audubon State Park is the perfect excuse and while visiting, you'll enjoy lush natural surroundings and a fairy tale quality that will leave you anxious to return.

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A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.